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Absolute Certainties for Leaders

Absolute Certainties for Leaders

Part 2

I have learned certain truths that I perceive to be absolutes for leaders and those who want to grow. You can hedge on some principles, but these are rock solid and you must submit to them or your forward progress will be derailed. I have never seen anybody violate these certainties and then accidently stumble into growth and success. As a matter of fact, I have never seen anyone even hedge on these and last very long in kingdom work. Everyone that is used of God applies them faithfully. It does not mean that they do not have struggles and that God does not apply the necessary pressure to forge them into a new appreciation of their importance, but everyone sooner or later realizes they must comply or be eliminated from the picture.

Take the High Road. This simply means to rise above pettiness. One of the greatest enemies to our legacy is a critical, petty spirit. I have seen great leaders fall into this trap and completely wipe out their legacy because they lost their ability to affirm others. As we grow older we become more fearful and insecure, but when you take the high road you remain confident, especially when others are insecure. So keep your priorities aligned with the vision and purpose of something greater than yourself. Having a Faith Perspective gives you the ability to understand that the high road is really the best way.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude. Adversity comes to everyone, regardless of station in life. The number one killer of passion is an unthankful spirit so we must learn to be grateful in the midst of adversity. By doing that we banish fear and faith will appear. The only way I know to keep your attitude of gratitude is to express it. If you feel it but don’t express it, you will lose it. You need to become intentional about this and do it everyday.

Have an Attitude of Learning and a Teachable Spirit.“If you stop learning today, you stop leading tomorrow” (Howard Hendricks). Everyone makes mistakes and everyone fails. But when you make the commitment to learn from your mistakes and continue, regardless of your failures, you have made the most important decision of your life. You learn much by watching others who do things extremely well. Leaders train continually, working hard not necessarily to be the best, but to be the best they can be. Teachable people are joyful people. They work hard to make a difference by improving themselves. Ask yourself this question; “What am I learning now that will make me better tomorrow?”

Commit to Inner Renewal. Consistent and continual improvement is the legacy of lasting and true leaders. Their focus is always forward and they keep growing, in spite of the resistance they feel from within and without. This renewal happens daily because they do not neglect their daily routine. When you are committed to controlling your choices you make sure that no one crowds your time. Keep your calendar from overwhelming your responsibility to continually renew your passion. Stay focused and don’t allow distractions to defeat your purpose or detour your intentions. If you make this important commitment you can be certain you will stay fresh and full of faith, rather than fatalistic doubt and fear.

Create an Atmosphere of Affirmation. Too often you see people who desire to influence others but end up poisoning the pond rather than cleaning the fountain. They invariably allow their negative emotions to override their faith and they express their doubt and fear rather than their hope for the future. For leaders to bring out the best in situations and people, they need to discover their voice of affirmation. Find someone today to affirm by speaking an encouraging word. Believe in someone else, and not just yourself and what God through grace has done in you. Redemption works for you but also recognizes the potential in others. Redemption sees them as a potter sees the clay and envisions excellence, and begins the lifting process to form in them the values that will transform their future. Redemption perceives people as rough diamonds that need the touch of a master craftsman. Our words can become self-fulfilling prophesies – words like, “I believe in you,” and, “You can do this.” I want to say to the saints of First Pentecostal Church, “We can do this.”